Miller column: Sweeney, Miller join impressive lists

Published: Tuesday, November 20, 2012 at 10:45 AM.

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Miller, who serves as a manager of sorts to his talented players rather than just a coach, was his usual laid-back self when I mentioned him joining Vroom and Riggs as the only coaches to lead the same boys’ program to multiple crowns, responding with a simple, “Thank you.”

Still, others have recognized Miller’s hard work for Jacksonville, which is regarded as a state power.

“I was getting texts and emails all weekend from people,” he said of people’s reaction to the Cardinals’ title. “Kids I don’t even teach came up to me to say congrats.”

But it wasn’t just winning a state title that meant a lot to Miller. It was also the fashion in which the Cardinals did it that meant so much for him.

Things looked dire for Jacksonville down 1-0 late against Hickory, which was the best team the Cardinals faced all year. That was until Cormick Breenan’s goal with 2:41 left tied the match, setting up Chris Tziatzos’ game-winning goal with 3:18 left in the second 10-minute overtime.

“I guess I’m still kind of shocked with the result,” Miller said. “For the boys to battle back and get a win being down a man, I’m still in awe.”

Actually we all should take a step back and be amazed what these coaches provide area soccer.

They took different philosophies in leading their teams to the NCHSAA finals, but soccer coaches Dave Miller of Jacksonville and Southwest’s John Sweeney shared the same result of winning a state title Saturday.

Now the two coaches have joined a select list of area coaches in an impressive category.

Add Sweeney’s name to the list of local coaches who have won state soccer titles in both boys’ and girls’ soccer. He joins White Oak’s Buddy Carroll and Dixon’s Kevin Hicks as those who have accomplished that feat.

Under Sweeney’s leadership, Southwest won its first state title in boys’ soccer with 2-0 victory over Lake Norman Charter in the 1-A final. He also has two championship rings with the SWO girls’ program, which won state crowns in 2010 and earlier this year while also guiding the Stallions to a final appearance in 2011.

Miller, meanwhile, joined the list of soccer coaches with multiple state titles with the same program following the Cardinals’ 2-1 overtime win over Hickory in a title match that saw Jacksonville rally from a goal down late and play down a man.

He also directed Jacksonville to the 2005 state title.

Miller became the second boys’ soccer coach to win multiple titles with the same school, joining former Swansboro coach Bob Vroom, who led the Pirates to seven boys’ championships, and former White Oak coach Jerry Riggs, who won two boys’ titles with the Vikings.

If you expand the list to girls’ and boys’ soccer, Miller is just one of five coaches to win more than one title with one program as Carroll as six titles with the White Oak girls, P.J. McManus has two with the Richlands’ girls and, as previously mentioned, Sweeney has two with the Southwest girls.

Nonetheless, the accomplishments of Sweeney and Miller are special and are an indication these coaches not only have talented players but know how to mesh different personalities and skill levels together to form championship-level squads.

Both coaches took it in stride when I mentioned to them of their accomplishments.

For Sweeney, he has preferred to talk about his players rather that making himself the focus every time I’ve mentioned his impressive feat since the Stallions won Saturday at Dail Soccer Stadium at N.C. State University.

That’s the sort of thing I expect from Sweeney, who takes more pride seeing his players happy rather than taking about personal pride. He is also more of a hands-on coach, often kicking the ball around himself during practice.

“I know that the success we’ve have had has been a group effort and that luck has played a significant role,” he said. “I am fortunate to coach these kids that I do and have the support from the community, the parents and the administration. I really don’t feel like the championship says a whole lot about me. It’s just an indication of how blessed I have been here to work with these kids and others I work with.

“It really set in this morning (Monday) when the boys all walked into school wearing their state championship T-shirts. Seeing the smiles on their faces and seeing the pride they felt in that achievement was the real reward.”

Miller, who serves as a manager of sorts to his talented players rather than just a coach, was his usual laid-back self when I mentioned him joining Vroom and Riggs as the only coaches to lead the same boys’ program to multiple crowns, responding with a simple, “Thank you.”

Still, others have recognized Miller’s hard work for Jacksonville, which is regarded as a state power.

“I was getting texts and emails all weekend from people,” he said of people’s reaction to the Cardinals’ title. “Kids I don’t even teach came up to me to say congrats.”

But it wasn’t just winning a state title that meant a lot to Miller. It was also the fashion in which the Cardinals did it that meant so much for him.

Things looked dire for Jacksonville down 1-0 late against Hickory, which was the best team the Cardinals faced all year. That was until Cormick Breenan’s goal with 2:41 left tied the match, setting up Chris Tziatzos’ game-winning goal with 3:18 left in the second 10-minute overtime.

“I guess I’m still kind of shocked with the result,” Miller said. “For the boys to battle back and get a win being down a man, I’m still in awe.”

Actually we all should take a step back and be amazed what these coaches provide area soccer.

Prep sports writer Chris Miller can be contacted via email at chris.miller@jdnews.com or by calling 219-8472.